RYAN COMER, Standard-Examiner Staff

Kendell Petersen couldn’t quite buy in, and now she’s preparing to play her senior year at Northridge High.

The choice was clearly difficult. Petersen had to decide between playing with club teammates in a league under the umbrella of U.S. Soccer — and enjoying all the benefits such exposure figures to bring — and being available for sports at Northridge. Petersen also plays basketball.

She felt the tug from both sides, but ultimately, she couldn’t give up her final year.

“I wanted to finish everything that I started,” Petersen said. “I have played soccer here for three years already, and I felt like if I did the academy my whole senior year was gone because it requires so much.”

Petersen has high expectations for Northridge this year.

“I think that we have a lot more potential than we have in the past few years,” Petersen said. “Especially since a lot of the other schools are losing girls to the academy.”

Including Petersen, Northridge has four seniors who started last year. The other three are goalkeeper Mekell Moss, midfielder Brooke Stoker and midfielder Maya Lewis.

“We have a lot of seniors, and we have some good sophomores and juniors that will contribute,” said first-year head coach Wyatt Kennah, who replaces Jon Auger after spending two years as an assistant.

Kennah doesn’t expect it to be easy. He calls Region 1, which now includes three-time defending state champion Davis, as well as Syracuse and Layton, the “region of death.”

“These teams are taking some hits, but they’re going to be ready to go as well,” Kennah said.

Northridge starts its season Thursday with a tournament in Orem. A number of Northern Utah teams begin play today.

Perhaps no team took a bigger hit due to the academy than Davis. The Darts lost Olivia Wade, a BYU commit who tallied over 80 goals in her freshman, sophomore and junior years combined. Goalkeeper Kendyl Baker, who is committed to Loyola Marymount, also left Davis for the academy.

Nevertheless, Davis returns BYU commit Zoe Jacobs and Utah Valley commit Hailee Atwater. Jacobs, who played defense last year, expects to play more in the midfield this year. Atwater also plays in the midfield.

Tabitha Howard, a center back and holding midfielder, and Halle Moffat, a goalkeeper, also return from last year’s team.

New head coach Cloee Marble has also been impressed with defender Shelby Egbert, forward/midfielder Navie Webb, goalkeeper Claudia Vinaco and midfielder Camryn Karras.

Injuries have plagued the Warriors leading up to the start of the season. Center back Rachel Wight has a torn MCL and possibly a torn ACL, and forward Hannah Wheelwright has a fractured back. Marble is not yet sure how much of the season the two will be able to play.

Syracuse took a hit with the loss of Weber State commit Grace Nelson to the academy. Titans coach Taylor Allen called Nelson the best defender on the team last year.

Nevertheless, Allen says the overall team is deeper than it has been in the past. Forward Ashlynn Hall, who scored 18 goals as a freshman last season, defender Kelsey Steed, defender Savannah Allen and goalkeeper Gabby Segura are all returning.

Syracuse is also trying to overcome injuries. Midfielders Adriana Owen and Gabby Bugtong each suffered an injury prior to tryouts. Owen has a hip flexor injury, and Bugtong has a torn ACL. Owen is expected back by the end of the preseason, while Bugtong is out for the season.

Allen has been impressed with a pair of freshmen — midfielder Caroline Stringfellow and forward Sarah Wynn.

“They’re both the real deal, man,” Allen said.

Layton has six seniors that new coach Tara Ferrin said are leading the way: Addie Rutter, Natalie Wood, Corinne Case, Abbee Smith, Kylie Pritchett and Ashley Arnes. Arnes is committed to Houston Baptist University. The Lancers also have a freshman, Kaitlyn Richins, who is committed to Utah State.

Fremont, which made it to the 5-A title game last year, will try to reload following the losses of University of Utah commit Courtney Talbot and Rylee Hunsaker to the academy.

Clearfield lost Baylie Christensen to the academy.

REGION 5

Woods Cross advanced to the 4-A semifinals last year and appears to be primed for another deep run in the 5-A ranks this season. The Wildcats return forward Sara Noel and goalkeeper Rachel Noel — sisters committed to Utah State.

Viewmont advanced to the 5-A quarterfinals last year and returns forward Jaci Cook-Dandos, outside back Madie Toole, attacking midfielder Sailor Uffens and holding midfielder Jessy Allen. Cook-Dandos is committed to play at Dixie State.

Box Elder and Roy each have new coaches. Bret Harris is the new coach at Box Elder, and Alyssa Foutz is the new coach at Roy. Foutz played at Weber State.

Harris said Box Elder is young following the departure of nine seniors, but he has been encouraged by what he’s seen.

“Just watching the level of play the last few days as we’ve played has been phenomenal,” Harris said. “It’s coming together, and it’s coming together real quick.”